This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project
to make the world's books discoverable online.
It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject
to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books
are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover.
Marks, notations and other marginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the
publisher to a library and finally to you.
Usage guidelines
Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing this resource, we have taken steps to
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying.
We also ask that you:
+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for
personal, non-commercial purposes.
+ Refrain from automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help.
+ Maintain attribution The Google "watermark" you see on each file is essential for informing people about this project and helping them find
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it.
+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liability can be quite severe.
About Google Book Search
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web
at |http : //books . google . com/
'S r\%^^]fs
f^j ppamath:
• (
t_(?Ou</ \ "^ ^ ^.U "I.V<iU
l^arbarli €alkQt l^ilirars
THE GIFT OF
GINN AND COMPANY
k t
3^
3 2044 097 072 045
THE BNDLES9 TALE
(Fi«eM)
CHILDREN'S CLASSICS
m DRAMATIC FORM
BOOK TWO
BY
AUGUSTA STEVENSON
FORMERLY A TEACHER IN THE INDIANAPOLIS
PUBLIC 8CHOOU3
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
Boston : 4 Park Street ; New York : 85 Fifth Ayenue
Chicago : 878-388 Wabash Ayenue
^c6u.c.T ns^.0^^3t
' HARVARD COLLEGE :J «
GIFT OF
GirM f^. rev. ' ■
COPYRIGHT, 1909, BV AUGUSTA ST£VEN80N
ALL RIGHTS RKSBRVEO
FOREWORD
This series of books aims to serve three dis-
tinct purposes : first, to arouse a greater interest
in oral reading; second, to develop an expressive
voice — sadly lacking in the case of most Ameri-
cans; and third, to give freedom and grace in
the bodily attitudes and movements which are
involved in reading and speaking. The stories
given are for the most part adaptations of favor-
ite tales from folklore, — Andersen, Grimm,
^sop, and the Arabian Nights having been
freely drawn upon.
Children are dramatic by nature. They are
for the time the kings, the fairies, and the heroes
that they picture in their imaginations. They are
these characters with such abandon and with
such intense pleasure that the on-looker must
believe that nature intended that they should
give play to this dramatic instinct, not so much
formally, with all the trappings of the man-made
stage, but spontaneously and naturally, as they
talk and read. If this expressive instinct can be
iv FOREWORD
utilized in the teaching of reading, we shall be
able both to add greatly to the child's enjoyment
and to improve the quality of his oral reading.
In these days when so many books are hastily
read in school, there is a tendency to sacrifice
expression to the mechanics and interpretation
of reading. Those acquainted with school work
know too well the resulting monotonous, indis-
tinct speech and the self-conscious, listless atti-
tude which characterize so much of the reading
of pupils in grades above the third. It is believed
that these readers will aid in overcoming these
serious faults in reading, which all teachers and
parents deplore. The dramatic appeal of the
stories will cause the child to lose himself in the
character he is impersonating and read with a
naturalness and expressiveness unknown to him
before, and this improvement will be evident in
all his oral reading, and even in his speech.
The use of the books permits the whole range
of expression, from merely reading the stories
effectively, to "acting them out" with as little»
or as much, stage-setting or costuming as a parent
or teacher may desire. The stories are especially
FOREWORD ▼
designed to be read as a part of the regular
reading work. Many different plans for using
the books will suggest themselves to the teacher.
After a preliminary reading of a story during the
study period, the teacher may assign different
parts to various children, she herself reading the
stage directions and the other brief descriptions
inclosed in brackets. The italicized explanations
in parentheses are not intended to be read aloud ;
th^y will aid in giving the child the cue as to the
way the part should be rendered. After the story
has been read in this way, if thought advisable
it can be played informally and simply, with no
attempt at costuming or theatric effects. It will
often add to the interest of the play to have some
of the children represent certain of the inanimate
objects of the scene, as the forest, the town gate,
a door, etc. Occasionally, for the "open day,"
or as a special exercise, a favorite play may be
given by the children with the simplest kind of
costuming and stage-setting. These can well be
made in the school as a part of the manual train-
ing and sewing work. In giving the play, it will
generally be better not to have pupils memorize
Ti FOREWORD
the exact words of the book, but to depend upon
the impromptu rendermg of their parts. This
method will contribute more largely to the train-
ing in English.
The best results will usually be obtained by
using this book in the third grade. In some
schools, however, it may profitably be used in the
second grade.
A. S.
CONTENTS
The Clever Kid 1
Suggested by JEtop** The Wolf and the Goat,
The Wolf and the Horse . . * 4
Suggeeted by JBtop^s Tke Wolf and the Hone.
The Wise Crow 7
Suggeited by JBaop*i The Crow and the Pitcher.
The Wolf and the Lamb 9
Suggeeted by Meop'e The Wolf and the Lamb. ^
The Selfish Woman 11
Suggested by ihefoOe-etory, The Bed-Headed Woodpecker,
The Blind Men and the Elephant .... 15
From thefoth^tory. The Blind Men.
The Stag and the Fawn 19
Suggested by Msop*s The Stag at the Pool.
The Shepherd-Boy who called Wolf ... 22
Suggested by JE»op*s The Shepherd-Boy astd the WeHf.
The Wish-Bird 26
Suggested by a Oerman folk-story.
Lazy Kate 31
Suggested by the German folk-story^ Lazy Lieette.
The Proud Ring-Finger 36
Suggested by the German folk-story. The Proud Bingfinger,
The Two Millers 40
Suggested by the German folk-story, The Tvoo Mitlers.
The Vain Jackdaw 45
Suggested by JBsopU The Vain Jackdaw.
vui CONTENTS
The Littls Jackal and the Camel .... 49
SuffgeHed by th§ OrimUal Uffrnd, The Jackal amd tke Camel.
The Endless Tale 54
Suggested by the felk-etory^ The Bndlest Tale.
The Qole in the Dike . 58
Suggeded by the legend. The Hole in the Dike,
The Pot op Gold es
Suggested by JEaopU The Faihner and Ail 5mm.
The Hare and the Hedgehog 69
Suggested by Chrimm't The Hare and the Hedgehog.
Fishing on Dry Land 75
Suggested by Orimm?s The PeaeanPs Clever Daughter.
The Wise Men' op Gotham 81
Suggested by the/olk-etory, The Wise Men of Chtham.
The Two Questions 90
Suggested by the/olk-etory^ The Two iiuettions.
Pocahontas and Captain Smith 99
Pocahontas saves Jamestown i07
King Alfred and the Cakes 115
ILLUSTRATIONS
The Endless Tale. (See page 54) . . Frontispiece
The Clever Kid '2
"as i live, you speak the truth !" 5
The Wise Crow 8
The Wolf and the Lamb 10
"Will you give me a cake?" IS
The Blind Men and the Elephant .... 17
The Stag and the Fawn 20
The Shepherd Boy who called Wolf ... 23
"I AM tired of my rabbits" 27
" Good-morning, TEACHER. Here is Lazy Kate " . 33
The Proud Ring-Finger 37
The Two Millers 41
The Vain Jackdaw . 47
The LriTLE Jackal and the Camel .... 52
"There is water on the sand here" .... 59
The Pot of Gold 63
The Hare and the Hedgehog 72
Fishing on Dry Land 79
"Quick, NOW — before the king comes" . . 85
The Two Questions 94
"I WILL NOT SHOOT AT DEER" 101
Pocahontas saves Jamestown 109
"Not ONE OF them fit to eat!" 121
CHILDREN'S CLASSICS IN
DRAMATIC FORM
BOOK TWO
THE CLEVER KED
Time : this morning.
Place : a pasture.
GtULY WoiiP.
Whitb WoiiP.
Km.
[The Gray Wolf and the White Wolf are
standing at the foot of a hill; at the top of the hiU
18 a Kid.] *
Gray Wolf. Look, brother, there is a kid !
White Wolf. Where? Where?
Gray Wolf. On that hill to the south.
White Wolf. I do not see her.
Gray Wolf. She is on the very top.
White Wolf. Ah, now I see her!
Gray Wolf. I wish we could get at her.
* The explanations in brackets maj be read akmd bj the teacher.
"a
THE CLEVER KID
White Wolf. She would
make a fine dinner.
Gray Wolf. She would, my
brother.
White Wolf. She is so
3^^ young!
Gray Wolf. She is so ten-
der!
White Wolf. Well, we can-
not get her. The hill is too
steep.
Gray Wolf. We must make
her come to us.
White Wolf. Yes, yes ! That
will be fine!
THE CLEVER KID 3
Gray Wolf. O little Kid! Dear little Kid!
White Wolf. O little Kid! Sweet little Kid!
Kid. What is it, sirs ?
Gray Wolf. The grass down here is sweeter!
White Wolf. And greener !
Gray Wolf. And fresher !
White Wolf.. And younger !
Gray Wolf. Come down and eat your dinner
here !
Kid. Do you speak of my dinner, sirs ?
Wolves. O yes, yes, yes !
Kid. You speak of my dinner, but you think
of your own. I will stay where I am, sirs.
THE WOLF AND THE HORSE
Time : last summer.
Place : a field of oats.
Wolf.
Maid.
Horse.
Boy.
Master.
Neighbors.
[The Wolf enters from the forest.]
Wolf. Ah, if I could only eat oats! What
a dinner I should have ! I would tell no one ! No
one would know, and the whole field would be
mine.
(Enter the Horse from the forest.)
Ah, good friend, such news as I can tell
you!
Horse. I will not promise to believe you.
Wolf. Well, then, believe your own eyes. There
lies a field of ripe oats !
Horse. As I live, you speak the truth !
Wolf. I have not tasted one! I have kept
them all for you.
"AS I LIVB, YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH!"
6 THE WOLF AND THE HORSE
Horse (calling).* Master! Master!
Wolf. Your master knows the oats are there.
You do not need to tell him.
Horse. Maid! Maid!
Wolf. The maid knows the oats are there.
You do not need to call her.
Horse. Boy! Boy!
Wolf. Stop your calling ! You will have them
all at me with clubs.
Horse. Neighbors! Neighbors!
[Enter the Master, Maid, Boy, and Neigh-
bors with clubs. They surround the Wolf.]
Master. Aha! I have caught you at last!
. Wolf (to horse). This is the thanks I get for
showing you —
Horse. Something you did not want your-
self. I owe you nothing, sir.
* The words in parentheses are not intended to be read aloud; they
will give the child the cue as to how the part should be rendered and
thus stimulate better expression. '
THE WISE CROW
Time : last summer.
Place: a meadow.
The Crow.
The Sparrow.
[The Crow and the Sparrow meet at a spring.]
Sparrow. Ah me, the spring is dry!
Crow. All the springs are dry !
Sparrow. There may be water in the brook.
Crow. No, the brook is dry.
Sparrow. What shall we do ?
Crow. There may be water in this pitcher. I
will see. Aha ! Here is water ! Come and drink.
Sparrow. I cannot reach it. It is too low.
Crow. Stretch your neck !
Sparrow. I stretch and stretch-^ I cannot
reach it.
Crow. Why, neither can I ! Stretch as I will,
I cannot reach it.
Sparrow. What shall we do ?
Crow. We will break the pitcher. Come, now!
8 THE WISE CROW
Sparrow. I strike and strike.
Crow. I strike and strike.
Sparrow. We cannot break it.
Crow. No, we cannot break it.
Sparrow. What shall we do ?
Crow. Let us try to overturn it. Come, now !
Sparrow. I push and push.
Crow. I push and push.
Sparrow. We cannot overturn it.
Crow. No, we cannot overturn it.
Sparrow. We must have water! What shall
we do?
Crow. Ah, I know the way to get the water !
{He drops pebbles in the
pitcher.)
Sparrow. Why do you drop
pebbles in the pitcher?
{He drops in more pebbles;
the water rises.)
Please tell me why you do
that.
Crow. Now come and
drink, Miss Sparrow!
Sparrow. Why, I can reach the water now !
How queer! How very queer!
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
Time: last spring.
Place: a pasture.
The Lamb.
The Wolf.
[The Lamb is drinking from the brook. The
Wolf enters.]
Wolf. Aha! There is my dinner. Now I'll
make it iseem that I ought to eat her.^ Lamb,
Lamb, how dare you ? How dare you ?
Lamb. What do you mean, sir?
Wolf. How dare you muddle the water ?
Lamb. The water is clear where you stand,
sir.
Wolf. The water is muddled where I stand,
miss.
Lamb. How can that be, sir ?
Wolf. I say the water here is muddled.
Lamb. But, sir, the water runs from you to
me.
Wolf. Oh, well, we will say no more about
10
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
the water/ Now just one year ago you called me
names.
Lamb. How could that be, sir?
Wolf. I say you called me natiies, miss.
Lamb. But, sir, one year ago I was not bom.
Wolf. Well, then, it was your father. It is
all the same to me. I mean to eat you anyway.
THE SELFISH WOMAN
Time : yesterday.
Place : the viUage.
Woman.
Beggar.
[The Selfish Woman is taking cakes from
her oven. There is a knock at the door.^
VioMAN. Enter!
[The Beggar enters. She wears a long cloak.l
Beggar. I am hungry, good woman. Will
you give me a cake ?
Woman. The cakes are too large to give away.
I will make a cake for you.
[She makes a very small cake and puis it in
the oven.]
Beggar. I thank you, good woman.
[The woman takes the cake from the oven.]
Woman. This cake is too large to give away.
I will make another cake for you.
[She mxikes a very, very small cake and puts it
in the oven.]
12 THE SELFISH WOMAN
Beggar. I thank you» good woman.
[The vxyman takes the cake from the oven.]
Woman. This cake is too large to give away.
I will give you a slice of bread.
[She cuts a slice from a loaf of bread.]
Beggar. I thank you —
Woman. A slice is too much to give away.
Here is a crust for you.
[The beggar shakes her head.]
Beggar. May you never taste cake again!
May the very cake in your mouth seem to be
crust ! K you will not give, you shall not have !
Woman. Go, go !
[The beggar throws off her cloak; a Fairy is
seen.]
Woman. A Fairy ! You are a Fairy ?
Fairy. I am the Fairy of Good Deeds. You
would not give — you shall not have !
[The Fairy goes.]
Woman. As if cake could ever taste like bread !
'T is impossible — impossible !
(She eats a cake.)
What is this ? I seem to be eating crust, dry
crust. 1*11 try another cake.
•WILL YOU GIVE M£ A CAKE?
14 THE SELFISH WOMAN
(jS^ eats another cake.)
Why, this too changes to crust! Ah me!
The Fairy's words were true. I would not give,
I cannot have. Ah me ! Ah me !
THE BLIND MEN AND THE
ELEPHANT
Time : a year ago.
Place: India.
The Driver.
The Six Blind Men.
[The Six Blind Men stand by the roadside^
begging. The Driver comes with his elephant.]
Blind Men. A penny, sir ! A penny !
Driver (throvring pennies). There, and there,
and there! Now out of the way with you! I
must take my elephant by.
First Blind Man. I have never seen an
elephant, sir.
Other Blind Men. Nor I ! Nor I !
Driver. Do you know what he is like ?
Blind Men. No, sir ! No, sir !
Driver. Would you like to touch him ?
Blind Men. Yes! Yes!
Driver. Come, then, and stand by him.
First Blind Man (placing hand on elephant's
16 THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT
side). Well, well! Now I know all about him!
He is exactly like a wall !
Second Blind Man (feeling the tush). He is
not like a wall! He is round and smooth and
sharp. He is like a spear.
Third Blind Man {feeling the trunk). Both
of you are wrong. He is like a snake.
Fourth Blind Man (feeling q, leg). Oh, how
blind you are ! He is round and tall like a tree !
Fifth Blind Man {feeling an ear). Why,
he is exactly like a great fan !
Sixth Blind Mj^n {feeling the tail). This ele-
phant is not like a wall, or a spear, or a snake,
or a tree, or a fan. He is exactly like a rope.
Driver. Ha, ha, ha!
[He goeSy driving elephant and laughing.]
First Blind Man. Ha, ha, ha! Hear how
he laughs at you !
Second Blind Man. He laughs at you and
the others.
Third Blind Man. He does not laugh at
me!
Fourth Blind Man. I say he laughs at you
and the others.
THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT
18 THE BUND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT
Fifth Blind Man. You cannot say he laughs
at me!
Sixth Blind Man. He laughs at all of you !
He knows I spoke the truth.
[He goes.]
Otheb Blind Men. Hear him ! Hear him !
[They go their different waySf ahxiking their
fingers angrily at each other.]
THE STAG AND THE FAWN
SCENE I
Time: last avtumn.
Place: the forest.
The Stag.
The Fawn.
[The Stag and Fawn enter the forest.]
Fawn. Here is a pool !
Stag. We will stop and drink.
Fawn. I see your horns in the water, father.
Stag. Ah, yes !
Fawn. They look like a strong tree down
there.
Stag. They are strong! And are they not
beautiful, child?
Fawn. They make you very grand, dear
father !
Stag. No king with his crown looks grander!
Fawn. I see your feet in the water, father.
Stag. Do not speak of my feet, child !
Fawn. Why not ? They are small and slender.
20
THE STAG AND THE FAWN
Stag. But they look so weak. I do not like
my feet at all. I wish they were different.
{A Hunter^ 8 horn is heard.)
Come, child, come!
THE STAG AND THE FAWN 21
SCENE II
Time: an hour later.
Place: another part of the forest.
The Stag.
The Fawn.
The Hunter.
[The Stag is caught in a thicket by his horns.
The Fawn looks at him pityingly.]
Fawn. A man is near! I hear him running!
Stag. I cannot free myself !
Fawn, Ah, if you only had no horns !
Stag. Or if they were only not so strong and
not so grieind!
Fawn. Your feet could save you then, dear
father.
Stag. Go, child, and let your feet save you.
Fawn. I cannot bear to leave you, father !
Stag. Go save yourself ! Go, go!
[The fawn goes. The Hunter enters.]
Hunter. Aha ! I have you now !
THE SHEPHERD BOY WHO CALLED
WOLF
SCENE I
Time: middle of the afternoon.
Place: a hiUside near the village.
Shepherd Boy.
Master.
Pastor.
Merchant.
Baker.
Butcher.
[The Shepherd Boy watches a flock of sheep.]
Boy. I am tired of watching sheep! I will
play a joke on some one ! I will play a joke on
everyone!
(He calls in a lovd voice.)
Wolf! Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!
[Enter the Villagers with clvbs.]
Master. Where is the Wolf ?
Boy. Ha, ha, ha ! There is no wolf !
Pastor. I do not like to leave my church !
THE SHEPHERD BOY WHO CALLED WOLF 23
••^'v
Merchant. I do not like to
leave my store!
Baker. I do not like to leave
my dough!
Butcher. I do not like to
leave my ox!
Boy. Ha, ha, ha! There is
no wolf ! Ha, ha, ha !
Masti;r. You must not play
that joke again ! Do you hear ?
You must never play that joke
again!
24 THE SHEPHERD BOY WHO CALLED WOLF
SCENE n
Time : a week later.
Place: same as in Scene I.
Boy.
Villagers.
[The Boy watches his sheep.]
Boy. I will play that joke again. I like to see
them come running.
(He calls in a loud voice.)
Wolf! Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!
[The Villagers come with clubs.]
Master. Where is the wolf?
Boy. Ha, ha, ha! There is no wolf!
Pastor. I do not like to leave my church!
Merchant. I do not like to leave my store!
Baej:r. I do not like to leave my dough !
Butcher. I do not like to leave my ox!
Boy. Ha, ha, ha ! There is no wolf ! Ha, ha,
ha!
Master. Boy, boy, you must not joke about
a wolf! Do you hear? You must iiever joke
about a wolf!
THE SHEPHERD BOY WHO CALLED WOLF 25
SCENE III
Time : a week later.
Place : same as Scene II.
Boy.
[The Boy watches the sheep. A wolf comes
and begins to kill the sheep.]
Boy. Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!
{No one comes or answers.}
Master! Pastor! Merchant! Baker! Butcher!
Come! Come! Wolf! Wolf! Wolf! Wolf!
(No one comes or answers.)
What shall I do? They think I am playing
a joke again. What shall I do P I cannot save
my sheep! I must run to save myself!
THE WISH-BIRD
Time: a few years ago.
Place: the palace gardens.
Bird.
Prince.
Nurse.
[The Prince and his Nurse walk in the pal-
ace gardens. The Wish-Bird is flying among
the trees.]
Prince. I am tired of the gardens, Nurse.
Nurse. Look at your pretty flowers, dear
Prince.
Prince. I am tired of the flowers.
Nurse. Look at your pretty doves, dear
Prince.
Prince. I am tired of my doves.
Nurse. Then look at your white, white rab-
bits, Prince.
Prince. I am tired of my rabbits.
Nurse. Dear me ! Dear me !
Prince. What shall I look at. Nurse?
"I AM TIRED OF MY RABBITS'
28 THE WISH-BIRD
Nurse. I do not know, dear Prince.
Prince. You must tell me what to look at.
Nurse. Dear me ! Dear me !
Prince. I will send you to the king.
Nurse. Do not send me to the king, dear
Prince !
Prince. Then tell me what to look at.
Bird. Look at me. Prince! Look at me!
Prince. Where are you ?
Bird. I am in the cedar tree.
Nurse. It is the Wish-Bird, Prince!
Bird. Make a wish, Prince. I will give you
what you ask for. But do not ask too much !
Prince. I wish these flowers were feathers !
Bird. Flowers, flowers, to feathers change!
Prince. Look, Nurse, look ! The flowers have
changed to feathers ! Let me wish again, Wish-
Bird!
Bird. Make a wish. I will give you what you
ask for. But do not ask too much !
Prince. I wish my rabbits with wings could fly !
Bird. Rabbits, rabbits, fly with wings !
Prince. Ha, ha! My rabbits now have wings !
Let me wish again, Wish-Bird !
THE WISH-BIRD 29
Bird. Make a wish, I will give you what you
ask for. But do not ask too much !
Prince. I wish to have the moon, I do!
Bird. Do not ask too much, Prince !
Prince. I wish to have the moon, I say!
Do you hear, Wish-Bird? I wish to have the
moon!
Bird. You ask too much ! Feathers, feathers,
fly away!
Nurse. Prince, Prince, your feather flowers
are flying away!
Bird. Rabbits, rabbits, fly away!
Nurse. Prince, Prince, your pretty rabbits
are flying away!
Prince. I want my pretty flowers, I do! I
want my pretty rabbits, too!
Bird. You asked too much, Prince! You
asked too much!
Prince. What will the king say ?
Nurse. Dear me! Dear me! The king loved
the flowers and white, white rabbits.
Prince. What shall I do, Wish-Bird ?
Bird. Go plant flower seeds and care for
them until they grow to flowers. Go feed your
30 THE WISH«BIRD
doves and care for them. Go work and work
and work and never ask too much. Then some
day I will come to you and you may wish
again.
[The Wish-Bird flies away.]
LAZY KATE
SCENE I
Time : early in the morning.
Place: Kaie*8 bedroom.
Kate.
Mother.
Bed.
[Kate is in bed. Her Mother comes.]
Mother. Kate, Kate, get up !
Kate. By and by, mother.
Mother. It is time to go to school. Get up !
Kate. By and by, mother, by and by.
Mother. You will be late to school, I fear.
[The Mother goes.]
Bed. Dear me ! Dear me ! Kate will not get
up. Well, she shall not be late to school. I will
see to that.
[The Bed walks from the room into the street.
Kate is frightened.]
Kate. Bed, Bed, where are you going ?
Bed. To school, you lazy child.
32
LAZY KATE
SCENE n
Ttmf.:
five minutes later.
Place
: the schoolroom.
Kate.
Teacher.
Bed.
Boys and Girh*,
[The Bed enters the schoolroom. Kate tries
to hide under the covers.l
Bed. Good-moming, teacher. Here is lazy
Kate.
Teacher. Ha, ha, ha!
Bed. Good-moming, boys. Here is lazy Kate.
Boys. Ha, ha, ha!
Bed. Good-moming, girls. Here is lazy Kate.
Girls. Ha, ha, ha!
Kate. Take me home. Bed ! Please take me
home !
Bed. Will you get up early?
Kate. O yes, yes, yes !
Bed. Every morning ?
Kate. Every moming. Bed! Every morn-
ing!
«« GOOD-MORNING, TEACHER. HERB IS LAZY KATE"
34 LAZY KATE
Bed. Then I will take you home. Good-by,
teacher !
Teacher. Ha, ha, ha!
Bed. Good-by, children!
Children. Ha, ha, ha!
[The Bed goes with Kate, who stUl tries to hide
under the covers.l
SCENE m
Tdo:: two minutes later.
Place: Kate*s bedroom.
Kate.
Mother.
[Kate is asleep. Her Mother comes.]
Mother. Kate, Kate ! You are asleep again !
Get up and go to school !
Kate. I have been to school.
Mother. What is this ?
Kate. I have been to school. The Bed took
me.
Mother. You have been dreaming, child.
Kate. No, no! The Bed took me to schooL
The children laughed at me.
LAZY KATE 36
Mother. It was a dream, my dear.
Kate. Well, I promised the Bed to get up
early. I know that was not a dream.
[She jumps out of bed.]
Mother. Oh, that is fine!
Kate. I must not be late to school. I pro-
mised the Bed.
THE PROUD RING-FINGER
Time: this morning.
Place: Mary* a
bedroom.
Mary.
POINTING-PINGER,
Mother.
Middle-finger.
Father.
Ring-finger.
Brother.
LllTLE-FINGER.
Sister.
Thumb.
[Mary lies in bed asleep. Her Father^
Mother, Brother, and Sister enter softly.
They carry birthday presents for Mary.]
Mother. Sh! We must not wake her!
Father. I will put the gold pen on the table.
Brother. I will lay the apple by the pen.
Sister. I will place the rose by the apple.
Father. How pretty they look !
Mother. What shall I do with the ring ?
Father. Why not put it on her finger?
Mother. I will do that. I will put it on her
ring-finger. There ! See how pretty it looks !
Sister. How pretty it makes her finger look !
THE PROUD RING-FINGER 37
Mother. Now come. We must not wake her.
Sh! Sh!
[Th^ go.]
Ring-finger. I have a gold ring. I am pretty.
I am better than the other fingers. I will not
work with them.
Thumb. Do you hear that, fingers ?
Pointing-finger. You are too proud, Ring-
finger.
Ring-finger. Have I not a ring ?
Middle-finger. That makes you no better,
miss.
Ring-finger. I will not work with any of
you.
88 THE PROUD MNG^FINGEE
Little-finger. Then I will not work with
you.
Pointing-finger. Nor I !
Thumb. Nor I !
Middle-finger. Nor I !
[The Ring-finger sees the rose.]
Ring-finger. I wish to hold the rose.
Middle-finger. I will not help you.
Ring-finger. I cannot get it alone.
Middle-finger. I will not help you. Let the
ring help you.
Ring-finger. Dear me! Dear me! I can-
not get the rose !
[The Ring-finger sees the apple.]
Ring-finger. I wish to hold the apple.
Pointing-finger. I will not help you.
Ring-finger. I cannot get it alone.
Pointing-finger. I will not help you. Let
the ring help you.
Ring-finger. Dear me ! Dear me ! I cannot
get the apple.
[The Ring-finger sees the gold pen.]
Ring-finger. I wish to write.
Thumb. I will not help you.
THE TBOVB RING-FINGEE 39
RiNG-FiNOER. I cannot write alone.
Thumb. I will not help you. Let the ring
help you.
Ring-finger. The ring does not help me.
I cannot work alone. I am no better than you,
my brothers. I will work with you.
Middle-finger. Ah, now I will help you to
get the rose.
Pointing-finger. And I will help you to get
the apple.
Thumb. And I will help you to write.
THE TWO MILLERS
SCENE I
Time : morning.
Place: Peter's mUl.
Peter, the stupid mttJiEIL
Peter's Wife.
The Fox.
[The Fox enters. He knocks at the mill door.
Peter o'pens the door and comes out. He is
covered with m^aL]
Fox. Good-moming, Peter.
Peter. What do you want, sir?
Fox. I am hungry. I want to eat Jacob's
chickens.
Peter. Ah, that is fine ! I do not like Jacob.
Do you know that ?
Fox. Oh, yes, I know ! Now will you help me
to get his chickens ?
Peter. What can I do ?
Fox. Put meal on me, till I am white. Then
the chickens will think I am a miller.
THE TWO MILLERS 41 '
Peter. Ah, that is fine! I will get meal.
Wait here.
[Peter enters the mill.']
Fox. Ha, ha, ha, ha !
[Peter comes with a 'pan of meal.]
Peter. Now I will make you white. You
shall look just like a miller.
{He covers the Fox with meal.)
Ha, ha ! Jacob's chickens will think you are
Jacob. Now go ! Go and eat Jacob's chickens.
{The Fox goes.)
42 THE TWO MILLERS
Ah, this is fine ! I do not like Jacob. I do not
like Jacob's chickens. I am glad the fox will
eat them. Ha, ha, ha !
[Peter enters the mill. Soon his Wife comes
running.]
Wife. Peter! Peter! Come out! Come out!
Peter!
[Peter com^s running from the miU.]
Peter. What is it? What is it?
Wife. The fox has killed your chickens !
Peter. Oh, no ! He has killed Jacob's chick-
ens, dear wife. Ha, ha, ha !
Wife. No, no ! He has killed your chickens !
They lie there on the grass. Look and you will
see them.
[Peter runs to the fence and looks over.]
Peter. What is this ? What is this ? Ah, my
pretty chickens ! My pretty chickens !
[He weeps bitterly.]
TH£ TWO MILLERS 43
SCENE II
Time: ths next day.
Place: JacoVs ndU.
Jacob, the wise mLUCB.
The Fox.
[The Fox enters. He knocks at the mill door.
Jacob opens the door and comes out. He is
covered with meal.l
Fox. Good-moming, Jacob.
Jacob. What do you want, sir?
Fox. I am hungry. I want to eat Peter's
chickens.
Jacob. Why do you come to me?
Fox. You do not like Peter.
Ja&ob. Oh, you know that, do you ?
Fox. Oh, yes, I know ! Now will you help me
to get his chickens ?
Jacob. What can I do ?
Fox. Put meal on me, till I am white. Then
the chickens will think I am a miller.
Jacob. Ah, that is fine ! Wait here.
\He enters the milL]
44 THE TWO MILLERS
Fox. He has gone for meal ! Ha, ha, ha, ha !
[Jacob comes out with a clvb.]
Jacob. Now go! Go, sir!
Fox. Why, what is this ? I said I would eat
Peter's chickens.
Jacob. Yes, but you mean to eat mine. Now
go ! Go, or I will beat you !
[Tfie Fox runs quickly away.]
THE VAIN JACKDAW
Time : last summer.
Place: a public park.
Vain Jackdaw.
Old Jackdaw.
Young Jackdaw.
Other Jackdaws.
Peacocks.
[The Jackdaws are seen in the park.]
Old Jackdaw. Come, jackdaws! We must
have our breakfast. Come!
[The Vain Jackdaw stops to look at something
on the ground.]
(To Vain Jackdaw.)
Come, no one should stop to look at any-
thing! Come!
Young Jackdaw. Just look at him. He takes
up feathers !
Vain Jackdaw {to himself) . How fine I would
look in these peacock feathers!
Another Jackdaw. See how he sticks the
feathers in among his own !
46 THE VAIN JACKDAW
Young Jackdaw. See how he struts about
in them!
Old Jackdaw. My son, take oflf those feath-
ers!
Vain Jackdaw. It pleases me to wear them.
Old Jackdaw. Take them oflf, I say!
Vain Jackdaw. I will not take them oflf!
Old Jackj>aw. Then you cannot stay with
us.
Vain Jackdaw. I do not wish to stay with
jackdaws. I will not walk with jackdaws. I will
not talk with jackdaws. I think myself too fine
for jackdaws.
Old Jackdaw. Then, jackdaws, we will think
no more about him. Come, now, to find our
breakfast! Come!
[They go. The Peacocks enter.]
Vain Jackdaw. Good-morning, brothers.
Peacocks. Ha, ha, ha!
Vain Jackdaw. Why do you laugh so, bro-
thers?
Peacocks. Ha, ha, ha !
Vain Jackdaw. You must not laugh, dear
brothers. I am a peacock like yourselves.
THE VAIN JACKDAW 47
First Peacock. You silly jackdaw!
Vain Jackdaw. I am no jackdaw. Do I not
have feathers like your own ?
Second Peacock. Ha, ha! I dropped them
on the ground this morning.
Third Peacock. Let's take them from him!
Vain Jackdaw. No, no ! I beg you —
First Peacock. Come, let 's pull them out !
[They puU the peacock feathers from the jack-
daw.]
Third Peacock. You cannot stay with us !
Second Peacock. Go back to the jackdaws !
First Peacock. Away with you! Away!
[The jackdaw runs. The peacocks go, laughing.
48 THE VAIN JACKDAW
The other Jackdaws enter y followed hy the Vain
Jackj>aw.]
Vain Jackdaw. Ah, here you are! I have
been looking for you.
Old Jackdaw. Why do you look for us ?
Vain Jackdaw. I am a jackdaw. I want to
be with jackdaws.
Old Jackdaw. We will have nothing more
to do with you ! Away !
Vain Jackj>aw. But, brothers, my dear, dear
brothers, please let me stay with you !
Old Jackdaw. You would not walk with
jackdaws! Away!
Young Jackdaw. You would not talk with
jackdaws! Away!
Another Jackdaw. You thought yourself too
fine for jackdaws ! Away!
All Jackdaws. Away! Away!
[They drive the Vain Jackdaw from the 'park.'\
THE LITTLE JACKAL AND THE
CAMEL
SCENE I
Time : one morning.
Place : the east bank of the river.
The Jackal.
The Camel.
[The Jackal stands on the river bank. He
looks longingly toward the west shore.]
Jackal. Ah, if I could only get at those crabs
over there! It makes me hungry just to see
them ! Now if I could only swim ! Or if I could
walk on water! Or if I had a little canoe!
[Enter the Camel. The Jackal whispers to
himself.]
Aha! Now I know the way to get across.
(To the Camel.)
Such news as I have for you, dear friend !
Camel. Must I guess ?
Jackal. No, I'll tell you this time. Listen:
I know a spot where the sugar-cane grows thick.
60 THE LITTLE JACKAL AND THE CAMEL
Camel. Tell me! I cannot wait! Tell me!
Jaceal. I cannot. I'll have to show you. It
is on the other side of the river.
Camel. Why, then, I '11 swim across and
take you on my back.
Jaceal. Just the very thing!
Camel. Come, then ! It makes me hungry
just to hear of sugar-cane.
[He kneels for the Jackal to get upon his back.]
SCENE II
Timb: a IMe later.
Place: the sugar-cane field.
The Jackal.
Farmeb.
The Camel.
Boys.
[The Camel eats the sugar-cane. The Jackal
comes running into the field.]
Camel. What ! Have you finished your crabs ?
Jackal. I cannot eat another one! Are you
not ready to go ?
Camel. Ready! Why, I have just begun.
Jackal. I '11 wait for you outside the field,
then.
THE LrrXLE JACKAL AND THE CAMEL 61
[The Camel nods and disappears among the
cane.]
Now I do not wish to wait for him. I am in
a hurry to get home, I am. So I'll sing a little
song I know. The farmer then will come and
drive the camel out.
[He goes. Soon he is heard singing in the
distance. Enter the Farmer and the Boys with
clubs.]
Farmer. I see no jackal here !
A BoT. I am sure I heard him singing !
Another Boy. I heard him, too !
Farmer. We must look for him and drive
him out.
[The Camel enters^ eating cane.]
First Boy. Look, look! A camel!
Second Boy. Look, father! A camel!
Farmer (to Garnet). So it was you who was
singing, was it ? Drive him out, boys ! Quick !
Beat him with your clubs !
[They rush upon the Gamel and beat him as
he runs from the field.]
62 THE LITTLE JACKAL AND THE CAMEL
SCENE ni
Time: a litUe hier.
Place : the west hank of the river.
The Jackal.
The Camel.
[The Camel lies on the hank half dead from
his heating. Enter the Jackal.]
Jackal. Are you ready to go now, friend ?
Camel. DonH say "friend'' to me!
Jackal. Why do you speak so strangely?
Camel. Why did you sing so strangely ?
Jackal. Oh, I don't know why! I always
sing after dinner.
Camel. Ah ! Well, let us go.
THE LITTLE JACKAL AND THE CAMEL 63
[He kneels. The Jackal gets on his back. The
Camel rises and enters the river. He swims to
the middle of the river and stops.]
Jackal. Why do you stop ?
Camel. I have such a strange, strange feeling.
Jackal. Well, swim on. You need not stop !
Camel. I feel as if I must roll over.
Jackal. Roll over! K you do, I shall be
drowned !
Camel. Exactly. But still I have that feeling.
Jackal. Now that is nonsense! Why should
you roll over?
Camel. Oh, I don't know why! I always
roll over after dinner.
[He rolls over.]
THE ENDLESS TALE
Time : a long time ago.
Place : the King*8 palace.
King. Second Story-Teller.
Princess. Lords and Ladies.
First Story-Teller. Guards.
[The King sits on a cushion in the great hall.
The Princess siis on a cushion by him. In front
of them sits the First Story-Teller. The
Lords and Ladies sit near by.]
Story-Teller. "Then the prince married
the princess and they were happy forever and
ever.''
[There is a pause.]
King. Go on!
(The Story 'Teller hangs his head.)
Go on, I say !
Story-Teller. That is all, your Majesty.
King, All!
Story-Teller. The prince married the prin-
cess. There is nothing more to tell.
King. I cannot bear so short a story !
THE ENDLESS TALE 56
Princess. Why, father; for three months we
have listened to it!
King. 'T is short, I say ! I bid you make it
longer, sir!
Story-Teller. I cannot. Sire. The prince
married the princess. There is nothing —
King. Throw him out of the palace, guards !
Cut off his head !
[Guards seize the Story- Teller.]
Princess. Father!
Lords. Your Majesty!
Ladies. Sire!
Princess. Spare his life !
Story-Teller. Let me keep my head, Sire!
King. Why should you keep it ? You do not
usie it.
Story-Teller. For three months I have
used it, Sire!
King. Your story is too short, I say ! Away
with him, guards ! Away !
(Guards take out the First Story- Teller.)
Bid another Story-Teller come !
(A guard admits the Second Story-Teller,
who bows before the King and Princess.)
56 THE ENDLESS TALE
Sir, hear me. You must tell a story that will
last forever.
Second Story-Teller. I hear, O King !
King. If you can do this, you shall marry my
daughter and be king after me.
Second Story-Teller. I hear, O King!
King. If you fail, you shall lose your head.
Begin! And remember, the story must go on
forever. Now again I say, begin !
Second Story-Teller. "Once upon a time
a certain king seized upon all the corn in his
country. He had it stored in a strong granary.
Then came a swarm of locusts over the land.
Soon they found a crack in the south side of the
granary. Now the crack was just large enough
for one locust to pass through at a time. So one
locust went in and carried away a grain of com.
Then another locust went in and carried away
a grain of com. Then another locust went in
and carried away a grain of com. Then — "
King (interrupting). Yes, yes! Now go on
with the story.
Second Story-Teller. The story shall go
on, O King! "Then another locust went in and
THE ENDLESS TALE 67
caxried away another grain of com. Then an-
other locust — '*
King (interrupting). I tell you to go on with
the story!
Second Story-Teller. I obey, great King.
"Then another locust went in and carried away
another grain of com. Then another — "
King. The story! The story, I tell you!
Second Story-Teller. This is the story,
O King! "Then another locust went in and
carried away another grain of com. Then — *'
King. I cannot stand it! How long will it
take the locusts to carry away all the grain ?
Second Story-Teller. One thousand years,
O King! "Then another locust went in and — '*
King. Stop! Stop! Take my daughter! Be
king after me ! Be king now ! Anything to stop
the locusts!
THE HOLE IN THE DIKE
SCENE I
Time: kUe afternoon in avtumn.
Pla.ce: Holland.
Peter. Gretchen.
Jacob. Frieda.
[The Children enter. They carry buckets full
of nuts.l
Gretchen, How cold it is !
Frieda. Let us run. Then we shall not be
cold.
Peter, How can we run ? We shall spill our
nuts,
Frieda. We are so far from home !
Jacob. We went so far to find the nuts.
Gretchen. It will soon be dark.
Frieda. We must walk as fast as we can.
Gretchen. Why do you stop, Peter?
Peter. There is water on the sand here.
Jacob. Come, Peter, come!
Peter. Where has this water come from ?
"THERE IS WATER ON THE SAND HERE"
60 THE HOLE IN THE DIKE
Frieda, Come, come, Peter!
Peter. There was no rain yesterday. There
was no rain to-day.
Gretchen. Come, Peter!
Peter. TMiat if the water comes through the
dike!
Jacob. Oh, that could not be! How could
water get- through that thick wall?
Peter. There might be a hole in it. I will see.
Gretchen. Peter, Peter! Your mother waits
for you.
Peter. I must find where the water comes
from.
Gretchen. Well, I will not wait.
Jacob. Nor I !
Frieda. Nor I ! It is too cold.
[They go. Peter runs to the dike and looks at
it carefully. 1
l^ETER. Ah, I thought so! Here is a little
hole ! The water comes through it from the sea.
Soon the hole will be larger. I must find stones
and fill it.
{He looks about for stones.)
Dear me! Dear me! I cannot find a single
THE HOLE IN THE DIKE 61
stone! What shall I do? The hole will grow
laiger and larger. The sea will come in and
cover all the land. What shall I do? I cannot
go and tell the people. That would take too
long. What shall I do? What shall I do?
(He thinks for a moment.)
I know! I know how to stop it!
(He thrusts his arm through the hole. He
shivers.)
How cold it is !
SCENE II
Time : the next morning.
Place : the street near Peter's home.
Petek.
Soldiers.
Peter's Mother.
People.
Prince.
[The Mother stands in the door of her home
looking up and down the street.]
Mother. He does not come! Well, I will go
to Jacob's after him. I must teach him that he
cannot stay away all night. I will punish him
for what he has done.
62 THE HOLE IN THE DIKE
[Enter the Prince, Soldiers, and People.
Four soldiers carry Peter on their shoulders.]
A Soldier. Hurrah for Peter!
A Man, Hurrah for Peter!
Soldiers. Hurrah! Hurrah!
PEbPLE. Hurrah! Hurrah!
Mother. What is this? Why do you carry
.Peter?
Prince. Peter has saved us !
Mother. What do you mean ?
Prince. He put his arm in a hole in the dike.
All night long he stood there! All night long
he kept out the sea! We found him there this
morning. Poor little boy, he was so cold!
Mother. Ah, my Peter! My dear Peter!
Prince. He is a brave boy. The king wants
to see him and to thank him. Come, soldiers, to
the king with Peter ! Come, to the king ! To the
king !
[They go with Peter on their shoulders.]
Soldiers. Hurrah for Peter!
People. Hurrah for Peter!
THE POT OF GOLD
SCENE I
Time : one spring day.
Place: the farmer's vineyard.
The Farmer.
His Three Sons.
[The Three Sons dig tazUy among the vines.]
First Son. Oh, I am tired of digging ! Come,
brothers, let us sit and talk!
[He throws dovm his spade and sits.]
Second Son. Father said we should dig at
every vine. But I must say I am tired of it.
64 THE POT OF GOLD
[He throws down his spade and sits.]
Third Son. I was tired when we began.
[He throws down his spade and sits. The
Farmer enters. His sons do not see him.]
First Son. Now I should like to go to war
and ride a great white horse, »
Second Son. I should like to be a prince.
I would do nothing all day long but wear my
golden crown.
Third Son. I want to find a purse of gold.
I would never work again, I tell you !
[The farmer shakes his head sadly.]
Farmer. My sons, these vines have not been
dug about. Come, do this work as I have told you.
(The sons take up their spades, hvi unwilU
ingly.)
Now listen: a pot of gold is hidden in this
vineyard. It is buried deep beneath these vines.
Sons. A pot of gold!
Farmer. It is all I have to leave you. I think
it best to tell you now, for I cannot live much
longer.
First Son. Why do you hide the gold, my
father ?
THE POT OF GOLD 65
Farmer. That you may dig for it.
Second Son. Why do you hide it in the
ground?
Farmer. That you may dig for it.
Third Son. Why don't you tell us where
it is?
Farmer. That you may dig for it.
[He goes.]
Sons. A pot of gold !
First Son. Now I shall go to war and ride
a great white horse !
Second Son. Now I shall many a princess
and wear her golden crown !
Third Son. Now I shall find my purse of
gold, and never work again !
SCENE II
Time : one month later.
Place : the vineyard.
The Three Sons.
[The ground is completely dug up. The First
Son is seen digging. He throws down his spade^
showing disappointment.']
66 THE POT OF GOLD
First Son. I cannot find it !
(Enter Second Son with his spade^
Did you find it ?
Second Son, No, and I have dug up every
inch of our western vineyard.
[Enter Third Son with his spade.]
First and Second Sons. Did you find it ?
Third Son. No, and I have dug up every
inch of the eastern vineyard.
First Son. Well, you see what I have done
here.
Second Son. Not a vine that has not been
dug about!
Third Son. I cannot understand it!
First Son. The day* our father died he spoke
again of the pot of gold.
Second Son. And told us again to dig for it.
Third Son. I cannot understand it.
[They go, shaking their heads sadly.]
THE POT OF GOLD 67
SCENE in
Time: six months later.
Place: the vineyard..
The Three Sons.
The Fruit Merchant.
[The Merchant enters the vineyard with the
Three Sons.]
Merchant, You say your grapes are ripe ?
First Son, They are ripe and ready to sell, sir.
Second Son. Come, now, and look at them.
[They cross to the vines.]
Merchant. Why, I have never seen such
grapes as these!
Third Son. We have never had such grapes
before, sir.
Merchant. How fine and large they are !
First Son. And sweet, too! Just taste one,
sir!
Merchant (ecUing agrape). Are they all like
these ?
Second Son. Every vine bears just such
grapes.
68 THE POT OF GOLD
Merchant. I must have your grapes- I will
give a pot of gold for them.
Sons. A pot of gold !
Merchant. Come, will you sell ?
Sons. Aye, sir!
Merchant. Then to-morrow I will bring the
pot of gold and take away the grapes.
[He goes.]
Sons. A pot of gold !
First Son. I wonder if that was father's pot
of gold.
Second Son. I almost think it was.
Third Son. I wonder now, I wonder —
First Son. No war horse for me ! I will stay
and dig again for gold !
Second Son. No prince's crown for me! I
will stay and dig here too!
Third Son. I have found my purse of gold !
I will stay and find another !
THE HARE AND THE HEDGEHOG
Time: one fine morning.
Pi>a.ce: the farmer^ s cabbage fidd.
The Habe.
The Hedgehog.
The Hedgehog's Wife.
[The Hedgehog and his Wife are walking in
the field.]
Hedgehog. These cabbages are growing well.
Wife. They are very fine indeed.
Hedgehog. We can feed on them all summer.
Wife. Yes, if the hares will let us.
Hedgehog. Oh, there is enough for all of us,
hares, hedgehogs, and farmer.
Wife. Yes, if the hares will think that, too.
Hedgehog. Well, we will let them alone as
we have always done.
Wife. But they will not let us alone. Yes-
terday they called at me while I was eating here.
Hedgehog. What did they say to you ?
Wife. Oh, such things as "Short-legs," and
"Duck-legs."
70 THE HARE AND THE HEDGEHOG
Hedgehog. Here comes one of them now!
Wife. He is one who called at me. I'll hide
till he goes by.
[She hides among the cabbages. The Hare
enters.]
Hedgehog. Good-morning, sir.
Hare. Why do you speak to me ?
Hedgehog. I always speak to neighbors, sir.
Hare. Speak to your own kind, then. I think
myself too good for hedgehogs.
Hedgehog. Now that is strange.
Hare. There is nothing strange about it.
Look at your silly little legs !
Hedgehog. They are quite as good as yours,
sir.
Hare. As good as mine ! Hear him ! You can
only walk with those legs, sir.
Hedgehog. I'll run a race with you this day.
Hare. Hear him ! Hear him ! Ha, ha !
Hedgehog. You may run in that furrow. I
will run in this. We will see who gets to the field
fence first.
Hare. Are you crazy?
Hedgehog. Come, come, let 's begin the race !
THE HARE AND THE HEDGEHOG 71
Hare. Ha, ha! Well, I'll run with you. You
ought to know just how silly your little duck-
ies are.
Hedgehog. Let us go to this end of the fur-
row to begin.
Hare. I will run to the brook and back while
you are getting there.
Hedgehog. As you please.
{The Hare runs off.)
Wife, wife, did you hear ?
Wife. I heard. Are you crazy?
Hedgehog. Go to the other end of this fur-
row, wife.
Wife. And why should I do that?
Hedgehog. The hare will run in the other
furrow. When he comes to your end, put up
your head and say, "I am already here."
Wife. Ha, ha ! He will think that I am you.
Hedgehog. Exactly.
Wife. Ha, ha, ha! I go, Mr. Hedgehog! I
go ! You may be short on legs, my dear, but you
are long on brains.
[She runs to other end of furrow. Mr. Hedge^
hog goes to his end.]
72 THE HARE AND THE HEDGEHOG
[The Hare enters.]
Hare. Well, are you ready?
Hedgehog. I am ready.
Hare. One, two, three, go !
[The Hare runs swiftly. The Hedgehog sits.
The Hare reaches the other end of his furrow.
The Wife puts up her head.]
Wife. I am already here.
Hare. What is this ?
Wife. I am already here.
Hare. We will try again ! Are you ready ?
Wife. I am ready.
Hare. One, two, three, go !
[The Hare runs swiftly. The Wife sits. The
Hare reaches the other end of his furrow. Mr.
Hedgehog puts up his head.]
Hedgehog. I am already here.
THE HARE AND THE HEDGEHOG 73
Hare. I cannot understand this.
Hedgehog. I am already here.
Hare. We will try again ! Are you ready ?
Hedgehog. I am ready.
Hare. One, two, three, go! •
[The Hare runs swiftly. Mr. Hedgehog sits.
The Hare reaches the other end of his furrow.
Mrs. Hedgehog puts up her head.]
Wife. I am already here.
Hare. I cannot believe it!
Wife. I am already here.
Hare. We will try again ! Do you hear ? We
will try again.
Wife. I am ready.
Hare. One, two, three, go!
[The Hare runs swiftly. The Wife sits. The
Hare reaches the other end of his furrow. Mr.
Hedgehog puts up his head.]
Hedgehog. I am already here.
Hare. This is very, very strange !
Hedgehog. Shall we run again ?
Hare. No, no! The race is yours, Neighbor
Hedgehog. And will you please to call some day ?
I should be glad to see you.
74 THE HARE AND THE HEDGEHOG
Hedgehog. I shall be glad to come.
[The Hare goes off wondering.]
Wife (running to meet Mr. Hedgehog). You
may be short on lejgs, my dear, but you are very,
very long on brams.
FISHING ON DRY LAND
Time : long ago.
Place : before the King* a palace.
King.
Prince.
Queen.
Laj)ies.
Farmer Nix.
Farmer Knave.
Many Other Farmers.
[Farmer Nix, Farmer Knave, and the other
Farmers have come vnth their wagons^ for it is
market day. Soms of the wagons are dravm by
horses and some hy oxen.]
Nix. Have you seen my colt, sir ?
A Farmer. I saw a colt run by not long ago.
Second Farmer. There is a colt with Fanner
Knave's oxen.
Nix. I do not see him.
Third Farmer. He is lying down between
them.
Nix. Ah, I see him now.
76 FISHING ON DRY LAND
{He goes to Farm&r Knave.)
I have come for my colt, Farmer Knave.
Knave. Your colt?
Nix. Yes. There he is between your oxen.
Knave. He is my colt, sir.
Nix. How can he be your colt when he is mine ?
Knave. I ask the same question, sir.
Nix. What do you mean ?
Knave. How can the colt be yours when he
is mine?
Nix. I'll have you before the judge, sir!
Knave. The judge shall speak to you, sir!
[The Prince coToes from the castle. "]
Prince. TVTiat is all this noise, sirs ? What is
all this noise, I say ? The king sent me to ask.
Nix. Farmer Knave does claim my colt.
Prince.
Prince. How is this. Farmer Knave?
Knave. I claim the colt because the colt is
mine, Prince.
Prince. Now how is this. Farmer Nix ?
Nix. The colt is mine. Prince.
Knave. The colt is mine I say !
Nix. I say the colt is mine!
FISHING ON DRY LAND 77
Prince. Hush, Farmer Nix! Hush, Farmer
Ejiave ! I '11 tell the king what both of you do
claim. He will decide to whom the colt belongs.
[The Prince goes.]
Knave. See how the colt lies between my
oxen ! Is not that proof that he is mine ?
Nix. But who can tell what a colt will do ?
[The Prince comes.]
Prince. Farmers, the king has decided. He
says the colt belongs where it is now lying*
Knave. And he lies between my oxen.
Prince. That is proof enough. The colt be-
longs to you, Farmer Knave.
Nix. But, Prince —
Prince. Not another word! Go, now, with
your wagons and horses and oxen ! The queen
comes out to walk. Go, all of you !
[The Prince enters the castle. The farmers gOy
Nix last. The Queen and her Ladies come from
the caMle.]
Queen. Go bring Farmer Nix to me.
[A Lady runs to Nix.]
Lady. The queen wants to see you, sir.
[Nix goes to the Queen and hows.]
78 FISHING ON DRY LAND
Queen. I heard all from the castle window.
I know the colt is yours.
Nix. I thank you, my Queen, I thank you!
Queen. Now you must show the king that
colts cannot belong to oxen, never have belonged
to oxen, and never will belong to oxen.
Nix. I will go to him at once ! I will tell him —
Queen. Not so fast! I said you must show
the king. He would not let you tell him. No
one ever dares to tell things to a king.
Nix. How can I show him ?
Queen. You must think out the way. I can-
not help you more.
Nix. I thank you, my Queen, I thank you.
Queen. The king comes out to walk soon.
Nix. I will return to show him.
[Nix bows to the Queen and goes. The King
and Prince come from the castle.]
Queen, 'T is a pleasant day to walk, dear King.
King. Oh, 't is very, very pleasant.
[Enter Nix with a fishing-net. He thrdws out
the net and draws it in.]
Queen. Why, look you what that foolish man
is doing!
FISHING ON DRY LAND 79
King. He throws out his net and draws it
in ! He acts just as if he were fishing.
Queen. Let's ask what he is doing*
King. Come here, you foolish fellow! Come
here, I say !
(Nix comes to the King^ but goes on with his
fishing.)
Now what are you doing, sir?
Nix. I am fishing, fishing, fishing.
Ejng. How can you fish where is no water ?
Nix. Fish can be found on land if colts be-
long to oxen.
80 FISHING ON DRY LAND
King. What is that, sir ?
Nix. If colts belong to oxen, then fish should
swim in dust.
King. Well, well, that may be true! What
do you think, dear Queen ?
Queen. I think with you — it may be true.
Nix (fishing). If colts belong to oxen, then I
will always fish in dust.
King. Well, well, I think you may be right,
sir!
(Pause. The King thinks deeply.)
Yes, I am now sure that you are right, sir. Go
get your colt from Farmer Knave. Go with him.
Prince, and see to it. Now come, dear Queen,
we'll walk about together, for His a very pleasant
day, 't is very, very pleasant.
THE WISE MEN OF GOTHAM
SCENE I
Time : one morning.
Pla.ce : the highroad to Gotham.
Hodge.
SCBODGB.
Podge.
King.
NODGE.
Soldiers.
[Enter Hodge, Podge, Nodge, and Scrodqe;
each carries an ax and each chuckles to himself. "l
Hodge. Well, the last tree is down !
Podge. Down and across the road!
NoDQE. Not a horse can get through them!
ScRODGE. How angry it will make the king !
Ha, ha!
Hodge. He sent us word he would visit
Gotham! Ha, ha!
Podge. Ha, ha!
Nodge. Ha, ha!
ScRODGE. He would hang us if he knew we
cut the trees !
Hodge. And let them fall across the road.
82 THE WISE MEN OF GOTHAM
Podge. He will not know. Not a Gotham
man would tell him !
NoDGE. Nor a Gotham woman !
ScRODGE. Nor a Gotham child!
Hodge. They have not forgotten what his
last visit brought upon them.
Podge. Everything he saw and liked, he took.
NoDGE. And would not pay for it !
ScRODGE. His servants and his soldiers ate
the town up.
Hodge. And would not pay for it !
Podge (looking off). He is coming now! He
is on the hill!
ScRODGE. He has his soldiers with him!
Nodge. He must not see us ! Come !
[They run off. Enter the King and Soldiers.]
King. To think that I — a king — should
have to walk !
First Soldier. Shall I bring the horses up,
your Majesty ?
King. Of what use ? Look how the road from
here is filled with trees !
Second Soldier. Just as it was back there!
King. I know ! It was done to keep me out
of Gotham ! I know !
THE WISE MEN OF GOTHAM 83
(To Third Soldier.)
Here, you!
Third Soldier (saluting). Yes, your Ma-
jesty.
Kj]^g. Get to Gotham, if you have to crawl.
Third Soldier. Yes, your Majesty.
King. Tell these men of Gotham I shall come
again.
Third Soldier. Yes, your Majesty.
King. And when I do — and when I do —
[He stops.]
Third Soldier. Yes, your Majesty ?
King. And when I do, I'll have their noses!
Third Soldier. Yes, your Majesty.
King. I '11 have the Gotham nose of every
Gotham man cut oflf his Gotham face!
Third Soldier. Yes, your Majesty.
King. Go, now, and tell them that!
Third Soldier (saluting). Yes, your Majesty.
[He goes.]
King. We will now return the way we came.
(He shakes his finger toward Gotham.)
I'll have your noses, that I will!
[He goes with his soldiers.]
84 THE WISE MEN OF GOTHAM
SCENE n
Time : one month later.
Place: afield near Gotham.
Hodge.
• King.
Podge.
Soldiers.
NODGE.
Old Men op Gotham.
SCKODGE.
Young Men op Gotham.
Peter
AND
OTHER Gotham Boys.
POLME
AND
other Gotham Giris.
[The Old Men, the Young Men, and the
Children are in the field.]
An Old Man. Well, the king's men have
taken all the trees away.
A Young Man. Agood month's work it made
them, too!
Another Old Man. And now the king will
come again!
Peter. And we shall lose our noses!
PoLLiE. I do not wish to lose my nose!
[Enter Scrodge, running.]
ScRODGE. The king is coming!
[Enter Hodge, running.]
^yn\\K^'!''S;'
s-*^
*vR!L*»
'QUICK, NOW — BEFORE THE KING COMES*
86 THE WISE MEN OF GOTHAM
Hodge. The king is coming !
[Enter Podge and Nodge, running.]
Podge and Nodge. The king is coming!
Peter. And we shall lose our noses !
PoLLiE. Oh dear ! Oh dear ! I '11 lose my nose !
Children. Oh dear ! We '11 lose our noses !
Hodge. Now get you back to Gotham, chil-
dren! You will not lose your noses.
Podge. Quick, now — before the king comes !
[The children go, holding their noses.]
Nodge. Now, Gotham men, do you all know
what to do ?
Old Men. Aye! Aye!
Young Men. Aye! Aye!
[All the men begin to work.]
Podge. I think this will save our noses.
[Enter the King and the Soldiers.]
King. Is there a tree left on the road ?
First Soldier. We took them all away. Sire.
King (to a soldier.) Then go and get our
horses. We will ride into this Gotham town.
(The soldier salutes and goes.)
Where do you roll these stones, old men ?
An Old Man. Uphill to help the sun rise.
THE WISE MEN OF GOTHAM 87
King. What! To help the sun rise?
Old Man. Yes, your Majesty.
King. Don't you know that the sun will rise
without help ?
Old Man. Will it? Well, well! Who would
have thought of that!
King. You foolish fellows ! Well, go on and
roll your stones. Now tell me why you grunt,
young men ?
A Young Man. Oh, we do the grunting while
our fathers do the work.
King. Ha, ha! Well, go on and gnmt. Now
what are you men doing ?
Hodge. There is a cuckoo here, your Majesty.
King. What if there is a cuckoo there ?
Podge. We are building a wall around it.
Sire?
King. Why build a wall around it?
NoDGE. To keep it from flying away.
King. Ha, ha ! Don't you know that the bird
can fly over the wall ?
Hodge. Well, well ! Who would have thought
of that!
NoDGE. How very wise you are. Sire!
88 THE WISE MEN OF GOTHAM
King. You foolish fellows! Well, go on and
build your wall.
(Enter Scrodge, carrying a door on his back.)
Where are you going with that door ?
Scrodge. I am going on a journey. Sire.
King. Why do you carry a door?
Scrodge. I left my money at home. Sire.
King. Why didn't you leave the door at
home?
Scrodge. I was afraid of thieves.
King. Afraid of thieves ! And you have taken
down your door!
Scrodge. If I have the door with me, they
can't break it open to get in.
King. You foolish fellow! Why didn't you
leave your door at home and carry your money ?
Scrodge. Well, well! Who would have thought
of that! How very wise you are. Sire!
King. Ha, ha, ha ! Well, go on and carry your
door.
(To Soldiers.)
These Gotham men are foolish. Does it not
seem so to you ?
Soldiers. Aye, Sire!
THE WISE MEN OP GOTHAM 89
Kino. I'll let them keep their noses. They
knew no better than to cut down the trees. Come,
we will go away and leave them.
[King and Soldiers go.]
Gotham Men. Ha, ha, ha!
THE TWO QUESTIONS
SCENE I
Time: when John vxis King of England.
PiiA.ce: King John's palace.
King John.
Abbot.
Knight.
Jester.
Lords and Ladies.
[King John sits on his throne. A Knight
stands before him. Back of him are the Lords,
the Ladies, and the Jester.]
King. Now, what is this you say?
Knight. I saw it all, your Majesty.
King. You say one hundred men sit down to
dine with him ?
Knight. Yes, your Majesty, every day.
King. And fifty knights in velvet coats do
wait on him ?
Knight. They bring him food on golden
plates.
THE TWO QUESTIONS 91
Jester. Your Majesty does not eat on golden
plates !
King. I cannot aflFord it.
Jester. Ha, ha! The king's Abbot lives
better than the king!
King. Be silent. Jester! Sir Knight, go bring
this Abbot to me.
[The Knight bows and goes.]
Jester. The Abbot is the real king ! Now who
is John, ladies? Who is John, lords? Truly,
who are you, John ?
[All laugh. Enter the Knight and Abbot.]
King. Abbot, I hear strange things about
you.
Abbot. Your Majesty! How can that be?.
King. *T is said that every day you have one
hundred men to dine with you.
Abbot. Oh, your Majesty, they are only
friends.
King. No matter who they are !
Jester. 'T is not their names ! 'T is what
they eat!
Lords. Ha, ha!
Ladies. Ha, ha!
92 THE TWO QUESTIONS
Ejng. 'T is said that fifty knights in velvet
coats do wait on you!
Abbot. Well, your Majesty, I —
King (interrupting). Do I have fifty knights
to wait on me ?
Abbot. Well, your Majesty, I —
[He stops in confusion.]
Jester. Are eggs brought to us on golden
plates ? Not so ! Not an egg !
King. You spend more money, sir, than I do !
How do you dare to do so ?
Abbot. 'T is my own money. Sire —
King. *T is not your money ! Everything in
this land belongs to me ! You shall go to prison,
sir!
Abbot (falling on his knees). Oh, say not so,
dear King! Oh, say not so!
King. Well, I will let you oflF if you will answer
me two questions.
Abbot. Ask as many as you like, dear King.
King. First, you must tell me how long I
shall live.
[The Abbot is silent]
Jester. Go on, John ! Ask as many as you like !
THE TWO QUESTIONS 93
Ejng. Then, Abbot, you must tell me what
I think.
Abbot. Your questions. Sire, are deep and
hard.
King. Answer them, or go to prison.
Abbot. I pray you for some time to think !
King. I will give you just two weeks. If you
cannot answer then, I'll have your head cut oflF.
And then I'll take your lands and palaces.
Jester. And your knights and golden plates !
Abbot (in a trembling voice). In two weeks I
will return. Sire.
King. Two weeks and not a day longer! Go!
94
THE TWO QXJESTIONS
SCENE n
Time: two weeks later; morning.
Place: the Abbot's palace.
Abbot.
First Professor.
Second Professor.
Shepherd.
[The Professors look through very large
books.]
Abbot. Look well for the answers, friends.
Look long, look deep, look well.
First Professor (closing book). I cannot
find the answers here.
THE TWO QUESTIONS 95
Second Professor (closing book). I cannot
find them in my book.
Abbot. Have you looked in other books ?
First Professor. We have looked in every
book.
Second Professor. In every book, in every
house, in every town.
Abbot. Alas ! Alas ! What shall I do ? What
shall I do?
First Professor. Go to the king and tell
him all.
Abbot. And then I'll lose my head!
Second Professor. Yes, I fear you'll lose
your head.
First Professor. I am sorry. Abbot, I wish
that I might help you.
Second Professor. I am sorry too, friend
Abbot. And I do wish the same.
Abbot. You both have tried your best. Fare-
well.
(The Professors bow and go.)
Alas! Alas! Alas! Alas!
[Enter the Shepherd.]
Shepherd. Good-day to you, good Abbot!
96 THE TWO QUESTIONS
Abbot. Ah, Shepherd, I am glad to see you.
How goes it in your village ?
Shepherd. We do nothing there but laugh
since your visit to us, sir. We laugh all day and
half the night.
Abbot. Now why do you do that ?
Shepherd. Because, sir, I look so much like
you. At least, they think so in our village.
Abbot. Why, that is true, you do. Well, what
can I do for you ?
Shepherd. I have heard about the two ques-
tions, sir. I have come to help you.
Abbot. How can you help me ? Speak !
Shepherd. I will go to the king in your place.
He will think that I am you.
Abbot. Can you answer the two questions ?
Shepherd. Only the king himself can say.
Now give me your gown and cap and golden
staff, dear Abbot.
Abbot. Well, I will let you try.
(Gives his govm and cap to the Shepherd, who
puts them on and then takes the staff.)
You truly seem to be myself, good Shepherd !
Shepherd. I hope the king will think so.
THE TWO QUESTIONS 97
Abbot. Suppose he will not take your an-
swers?
Shepherd. Then he will take my head.
Abbot. No, good Shepherd, I'll take my own
head up to him for that. Now go, and bear my
blessing with you.
[He lifts his hand. The Shepherd bows his
head.]
SCENE m
Time: the same day; afternoon.
"Place: King John*8 palace.
King John.
Abbot (beally the Shephebd).
Knight.
Jester.
Lords and Ladies.
[The King sits on his throne. The Lords,
Ladies, and Jester stand near. Enter a Knight.]
Knight. The Abbot begs to see you. Sire.
King. Ah, he has come, has he ?
Knight. Yes, your Majesty, he waits without.
King. Bid him enter.
[The Knight goes.]
98 THE TWO QUESTIONS
Jester. Will the Abbot take his head back
with him? I'll give you two guesses, ladies!
I'll give you two guesses, lords!
[Enter the Knight and the Shepherd dressed
as the Abbot.]
Abbot. Your Majesty, I am here.
King. Well, then, tell me how long I shall live.
Abbot. Sire, you shall live till the day that
you die, and not one day longer.
King. Ha, ha! You are witty. Abbot. Now
tell me what I think.
Abbot. You think I am the Abbot, Sire. lam
only his poor Shepherd. Behold!
\He throws off his gown and cap.]
King. Ha, ha, ha! Truly you are a witty
fellow ! I Itke you for it, that I do !
Shepherd. Then will you pardon the good
Abbot, Sire ?
King. I will pardon the Abbot and let him
keep his lands and knights, if you will stay and
live here in my court.
Jester. Yes, stay. Stay and help me jest !
Shepherd. 1*11 stay, and I'll jest whene'er I
can. I thank you. King John, I thank you.
POCAHONTAS AND CAPTAIN SMITH
SCENE I
Time : a spring morning; three hundred years ago.
Fh^cm forest near Jamestown.
Pocahontas.
Indian Woman.
Indian Girls.
Indian Boys.
[Pocahontas and the Indian Girls are play*
ing in the forest. An Indian Woman comes with
bows and arrows.]
Woman. The deer go to the river! You must
shoot them while they drink. Here are your
bows and arrows.
A Girl. I'll shoot a doe!
Second Girl. I'll shoot a stag with horns !
Third Girl. And I, a fawn!
Woman. Come, Pocahontas, and get your
bow and arrows.
Pocahontas. I will not shoot at deer!
Woman. Ah, but you must. The braves have
100 POCAHONTAS AND CAPTAIN SMITH
gone to watch the white men. So we must do the
hunting. Come!
Pocahontas. I will not shoot at deer!
Third Girl. She never shoots at them.
Woman. Why, what is this ?
Fourth Girl. She only shoots at trees and
sedges peeping from the water.
Woman. Now why do you not shoot at deer?
Pocahontas. They look at me so gently. I
cannot bear to kill them.
First Girl. She will not kill anything.
Second Girl. She will not even shoot a bird.
Woman. Can this be true?
Pocahontas. I will not kill the pretty things.
This forest is their home, the same as it is
ours.
Woman. Such talk I never heard before!
The braves must know of this.
Pocahontas. No, no! They will tell my
father!
Woman. Aye ! Chief Powhatan must know.
Pocahontas. I beg you not to tell him !
Third Girl. He will send her from his wig-
wam! Do not tell him!
* I WILL NOT SHOOT AT DEER
102 POCAHONTAS AND CAPTAIN SMITH
FouBTH Girl. He will send her alone into the
forest! Do not tell him!
Pocahontas. Do not tell him!
Woman. Then take your bow and kill a deer.
Pocahontas. I will not! I have told you that !
I cannot!
Woman. Powhatan shall know. Before the
sun sets, Powhatan shall know.
[Indian Boys enter.]
First Boy. The braves have brought a pris-
oner!
Second Boy. It is the white diief from the
village !
Third Boy. They have taken him to Pow-
hatan!
Fourth Boy. Come, if you would see him!
Woman. I come! I come!
GiRus. And I! And I! And I!
[They go.]
POCAHONTAS AND CAPTAIN SMITH 103
SCENE n
Time: a little later.
PiiA.ce: Indian camp.
Captain John Smith. Medicine Man.
Chief Powhatan. Pocahontas.
Braves, Wob^en, and CHii<DREN.
[Captain Smith stands before Powhatan. He
holds a small compass in his hand.]
Smith. Let me live, great chief! Let me live
and you shall have my talking needle!
Powhatan. Talking needle ! What is that ?
Smith. It is this needle in this box. It talks
whenever I wish it.
Powhatan. What does it say ?
Smith. It tells me where to find the north.
I turn the box this way, — I turn the box that
way. But the needle always shows the north to
me.
Powhatan. Why, so it does ! It is very strange
and wonderful !
A Brave, Will it tell the north at night ?
Smith. In the darkest night it tells you.
104 POCAHONTAS AND CAPTAIN SMITH
Another Brave. Wfll it tell the north on
water ?
Smith. On river or on lake it tells you.
Powhatan. Come, show me how to make it
talk.
Smith. Will you let me go in peace ?
Powhatan. You shall live and go in peace.
Medicine Man. Great chief, is it wise to
let so wise a man go from us ?
Powhatan. Is it your wish to keep him
here?
Medicine Man. There is no place for such
a wise man.
Powhatan. What do you mean ?
Medicine Man. Let him go, or let him stay,
he will only make more wise things.
Powhatan. That is true.
Medicine Man. Things too wise for Pow-
hatan's braves. Things too wise for Powha-
tan.
Powhatan. What is that? Things too wise
for Powhatan !
Medicine Man. The white man makes talk-
ing needles. This needle shows the north to him.
POCAHONTAS AND CAPTAIN SMITH 105
Another needle may show him how to be chief
in your place, Powhatan.
A Brave. Yes, yes ! That is true !
All Braves. Yes, yes !
Medicine Man. He is too wise to live, great
chief !
Braves. Yes, yes, yes!
(PaiLse.)
Powhatan. Bind him to the ground, braves !
Put his head on that stone there !
Smith. Powhatan ! I beg you —
Powhatan. Take him, braves ! Be ready with
your war clubs !
[The braves throw Captain Smith on the
groundy and stand over him with uplifted clubs.
Enter Pocahontas. She runs to Captain Smith
and kneels beside him^ shielding his head with
her arms. Enter Women and Children.]
Pocahontas. You shall not kill him !
Powhatan. My daughter! Come away!
Pocahontas. You shall not kill him! You
shall not kill him !
A Woman. Pocahontas!
A Girl. Pocahontas! They will kill you!
106 POCAHONTAS AND CAPTAIN SMITH
Second Girl. Pocahontas! Come away!
Come away!
^ Pocahontas. I wfll not move !
Medicine Man. Drag her away, braves!
Drag her away, I say!
Powhatan. Do not dare to touch her! Do
•
you hear ? Do not dare to touch her ! The Great
Spirit lives in the child! The Great Spirit has
breathed His courage into her ! Captain Smith,
you shall live and go in peace. I, Powhatan,
do say these words !
POCAHONTAS SAVES JAMESTOWN
SCENE I
Time: One evening; three hundred years ago.
Place: Indian camp near Jamestovmy Virginia.
Chief Powhatan. Braves.
Medicine Man. Women and Children.
Pocahontas.
[Powhatan, Medicine Man, and Braves
sit around the fire in council. The Women and
Children, Pocahontas among them^ are near.]
Powhatan. I speak, my children.
Braves. We hear, great chief.
Powhatan. Who among you loves the white
man?
(There is silence.)
Again I ask, who among you loves the white
man?
(There is silence.)
Medicine Man. The white men are not our
friends. Chief Powhatan.
A Brave. They take our land from us.
108 POCAHONTAS SAVES JAMESTOWN
Second Brave. They take our corn from us.
Third Brave. They will not let us fish m
our own rivers.
Medicine Man. They are too wise for Pow-
hatan's children.
Powhatan. They are too wise for Powhatan.
, Medicine Man. Not one should live in our
great forests !
A Brave. We should not leave one white man
in their village!
Second Brave. Nor a white woman !
Third Brave. Nor a white child !
Powhatan. I think with you, my children.
Your words are my words.
Medicine Man. This night we should creep
upon them!
Braves. Yes! Yes! Yes!
Powhatan. This night it shall be done ! Lie
here and sleep, my braves, till midnight. Then
we will rise and creep upon them. Women,
take the children to the wigwams. Pocahontas,
fill my quiver full of arrows. You may do this
while I sleep. And now, silence.
POCAHONTAS SAVES JAMESTOWN
109
SCENE n
Time : Midnight of same day.
Place: Jamestovm.
Pocahontas.
Captain John Smith.
John Rolfe.
Settlers.
Powhatan.
Medicine Man.
Braves.
[Pocahontas enterSy running. She knocks at
the door of Captain Smith's cahin.]
Smith (within). Who knocks?
Pocahontas. Poca-
hontas !
[Captain John Smith
comes from the cabin.]
Pocahontas. Pow-
hatan is coming! He is
coming with his braves !
They come creeping
while you sleep !
Smith. What is this ?
Pocahontas. They
come to kill you and
the women and the children!
110 POCAHONTAS SAVES JAMESTOWN
Smith. Rolfe, Rolfe, do you hear that ?
[RoLFE comes from the cabin.]
Rolfe. I heard! I'll go and warn the
people !
Smith. Tell them to run quickly to the fort !
Rolfe. I'll tell them!
[He goes, running.]
Smith. It is brave of you to warn us, Poca-
hontas.
Pocahontas. I could not bear to have the
little children killed.
Smith. You have saved them and their
mothers and their fathers. Me, you have saved
twice.
[Pocahontas starts to go.]
Pocahontas. Good-by, white chief. I go
now to my wigwam.
Smith. Girl ! Girl ! You must not go ! The
braves will know you warned us !
Pocahontas. They will not know, white
chief. At midnight they were to leave the camp.
I will get back by that time.
Smith. It is midnight now. They have missed
you by this time, Pocahontas.
POCAHONTAS SAVES JAMESTOWN 111
Pocahontas. What shall I do? What shall
I do?
Smith. You must stay with us.
Pocahontas. I cannot leave my father, white
chief.
[She starts to go.]
Smith. You must not go ! The braves will not
let you live ! I fear your father could not save
you from them!
[Enter Rolfe, running.]
RoLFE. To the fort! To the fort! The In-
dians are upon us ! To the fort !
Smith. Come, Pocahontas! There is our
fort across the road. You will be safe in there.
Pocahontas. How can I leave my father !
[Enter Men, Women, and Children, running.
They enter the fort.]
Smith. Come, Pocahontas! Come!
[He leads her into the fort just (w the Indians
cree'p in from the forest. They see Pocahontas and
rush at her^ hut Rolfe shuts the gates.]
Braves. Pocahontas! Pocahontas!
Medicine Man. 'T is Pocahontas who has
warned them !
112 POCAHONTAS SAVES JAMESTOWN
Braves. Yes, yes ! 'T is Pocahontas !
Medicine Man. Do you hear that. Chief
Powhatan ?
Powhatan. I hear.
A Brave. She has betrayed her own people!
Second Brave. We should never take her
back to us !
Third Brave. We should not let her live !
Medicine Man. Aye, braves, aye! We
should not let her live! We will demand her
from the white men !
Braves. Yes, yes !
Medicine Man. Shall we offer them peace
in return for Pocahontas ?
Braves. Yes, yes, yes!
Medicine Man. Do you hear that. Chief
Powhatan ?
[There is a long pause.]
Powhatan. Go, take the peace flag to them,
and ask for Pocahontas.
[The Medicine Man raises a white flag and
goes to the fort. Captain Smith and many men
come out.]
Smith. Do you come to offer peace ?
POCAHONTAS SAVES JAMESTOWN 113
Medicine Man. We offer peace, great chief,
if you will give up Pocahontas.
Smith. And what if we will not give her up ?
Medicine Man, We will make war upon
you.
Smith. We will not give her up.
Medicine Man. Then not a man of you
shall live! Nor a woman! Nor a child!
Smith. Pocahontas is our friend. We will not
give her up to you.
Medicine Man. Shoot them, braves ! Shoot
them, as they stand there !
Powhatan. Do not dare to shoot one arrow !
I, Powhatan, speak.
{To Smith.)
I see you are my daughter's friend, white
chief.
Smith. I am, and would be yours, if you would
let me.
Powhatan. Your white braves take our land
from us.
Smith. They shall pay you. As I am chief
here, they shall pay you.
Powhatan. Your white braves take our com
114 POCAHONTAS SAVES JAMESTOWN
from us. They will not let us fish in our own
rivers.
Smith. I did not know such wrongs were
done you. My braves shall pay for eveiything
in full.
Powhatan. Then there shall be peace be-
tween us. Bring the peace pipe, braves. We
will smoke in friendship with our brothers.
Smith. And Pocahontas will be pardoned?
You will take her back as your own daughter ?
Powhatan. Pocahontas will be pardoned,
white chief. She shall come and go, as she may
please, between our wigwams and yours, my
brother.
[A brave comes with the peace pipe, which
he gives to Powhatan^ who hands it to Captain
STtiithJ]
Smith (taking pipe). 'Tis for eternal peace
between us!
KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES*
Time : More than a thousand years ago.
Place: a forest in England.
Kino Alfred. Danish Chief.
GooDWiFE. English Soldiers.
Prince. Danes.
[A hut is at one side. Near by is a pile of burn-
ing fagots. The Prince enters from the forest. He
carries a great spear. He looks about ; creeps to
the hut and looks in the window; shows satisfac-
tion ; returns to the forest.^
Prince (softly). All is well. Enter!
(Enter Two English Soldiers from forest.
They carry large bows and wear quivers holding
arrows.)'
We are safe here, my men. Tell King Alfred
that.
[The first Soldier salutes and enters forest.]
* The teacher should explain that Sang Alfred was one of the most
famous and best beloved kings of England, and that while he was king
the Danes were trying to conquer England. At the time of the story,
he had been defeated by the Danes, and was compelled to hide with a
lew followers in the forest to avoid falling into the hands of the enemy.
116 KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES
Second Soldieb. Danes may hide in the hut.
Prince —
Prince (shaking head). There's only an old
woman within.
[Enter First Soldier. He holds the hushes
and vines aside.'\
First Soldier. The king!
[Enter King Alfred. He is disguised a^ a
beggar. He is young^ manly ^ and courageous.']
Prince (bowing). You can rest safely here.
King Alfred.
King. Do you think the Danes are still in
pursuit ?
Prince. No, your Majesty, I am sure we
have escaped them this time.
Second Soldier. Besides, they would not
know your Majesty dressed so.
King {anxiously). Gentlemen, disguise your-
selves as you have me.
Prince. That will not do. Sire. The Danes
must not see you dressed as we are. 'T will make
you safer.
King. Aye, but there's more danger for you
dressed so. Come, be beggars now with me !
KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES 117
First Soldier (shaking head). Our first
thought is for you. Sire.
Second Soldier. Should you fall into the
Danes' hands now, what will become of Eng-
land?
King. Why, she must fight again !
Prince, (shaking head). Our soldiers ran from
the Danes to-day, and lost the battle to them !
King. 'T is because they fear these Danes as
they do monsters, — monsters come to rob them,
— to bum their homes, — to make them slaves !
Soldiers. Aye! Aye!
King. If only I could turn their fear to rage
and fierce, hot anger ! Then England would not
flee! She 'd fight her foes and conquer!
Soldiers. Aye! Aye!
Prince. 'T is for that great work you should
save yourself. Sire ! For that, you should wear
the beggar's rags now!
[Enter English Soldiers in great haMe.]
Third Soldier. Sire, save yourself! The
Danes still follow us!
Fourth Soldier. They have crossed the
river!
118 KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES
Third Soldier. They pursue your Majesty!
Prince. Go to the hut there. Sire. Let the
Danes find you begging from the goodwife.
King. But you, my men, where will you hide ?
First Soldier. We'll scatter. Sire.
King. Then go, go at once! I'll await you
here, if the Danes go on.
Prince (saluting). Farewell, my King!
Soldiers (saluting). Farewell, King Alfred,
farewell !
[They go. The King crosses to huty and knocks
at dooTy which is opened by the Goodwife. She
holds a wooden bowl and a large flat stone in
her hands.]
Goodwife (aside). Another beggar, as I live!
(Aloud, sharply.) Well, what do you want?
King- A bite to eat, goodwife.
Goodwife. My cakes are not yet baked.
King. I will wait, then.
Goodwife {indignantly). Well, and you will
f sir !
m (alarmed). You will not drive me off,
woman!
looDwiFE. And who are you, that you should
I
KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES 119
sit by and wait, whilst I do all the work ! And
do you think you are the king, sir ?
King* No, no ! I —
Good WIFE (interrupting). You'll fry the cakes
yourself, sir ! And that you will at once, sir ! Go
now and mend the fire, and lay this stone
upon it.
[The King takes the stone; crosses to the fire,
and stirs it ; places the stone on the burning wood.
When the stone is hoty the Goodwife pours the
batter from the bowl on the stone.]
Goodwife. Now watch these cakes while
I'm within. And watch them well : rye cakes do
bum while one is winking.
King. I'll watch them carefully, goodwife.
(The Goodwife enters hut. The King turns
the cakes carefully y then sits on a log ; he shows
that his thoughts are far away.)
I will drive them out ! I will I
(Pause.)
To-night I'll get my men together.
(Pause.)
We will take them by surprise — at daybreak.
[Enter the Goodwife; she rushes to the fire.]
120 KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES
Good WIFE (looking at cakes). Burnt to cin-
ders ! Not one of them fit to eat !
King. I am sorry — I —
Good WIFE (interrupting). Oh, you good-for*
nothing ! I would like to beat you !
Ejeng. What can I do to make it right ?
Good WIFE (taking up a stick). You *11 mix
more dough ! More dough ! Do you hear ?
Ejeng. I'll be glad to do it. Madam!
Good WIFE (flourishing stick). In with you!
Now in with you, and get to work !
[The King enters the hut. Enter Danish
Chief and Danes from the forest. They carry
spears and shields.]
Good WIFE (with fear; dropping stick). The
Danes !
Chief (haughtily). Aye, Danes!
GooDWiFE. I have no silver! Not a piece,
sir!
Chief. Bum the hut, men!
Danes. Aye! Aye!
[They start toward the hut. The Goodunfe
falls on her knees before them.]
GooDwiFE. I pray you, spare my home!
*NOT ONE OF THEM FIT TO EAT I"
122 KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES
Chief. We spaxe no home to any English.
Do you not know that ?
GooDwiFE. I've heard so —
First Dane. We'll bum every home on Eng-
lish land before we go !
Second Dane, And drive every Englishman
into the seas !
Danes. Aye! Aye!
Good WIFE (sobbing). I pray you —
Chief (roughly). Come, get up! Get up and
cease your weeping! I like it not. Get up, I
say!
[Goodvnfe riseSy trembling with fear.]
Chief. Now listen; we will not bum your
hut, if you will tell us what we wish to know.
GooDwiFE. I will tell you what I can —
Chief. Did King Alfred pass this way in
flight?
GooDwiFE (starting). What? Our king in
flight ?
Chief (angrily). Come, no tears for him!
Did he pass this way, I say ?
GooDWiFE. No, my lord.
First Dane. Do not believe her, chief!
KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES 123
There 's not an Englishman that would not hide
him from us !
GooDWiFE (forgetting her fear). Aye, and die
for him!
Chief {angrily). Say not such words to me!
I am your king that is to be !
Danes. Aye! Aye!
Chief. Go search within the hut, Danes !
[Danes enter hut They come out immediately
bringing King Alfred.]
First Dane. We found this man within, chief.
Second Dane. 'T is only her husband, I
think.
GooDwiFE (indignantly). Hushandj say you ?
— that beggar !
Chief (showing suspicion). Ah, a beggar — !
GooDWiFE. Yes, my lord, he came but just
before you.
First Dane (whispering). Hear that, my
lord, — just before us !
Second Dane (whispering). It may be King
Alfred!
Third Dane (whispering). Disguised as a
beggar, sir!
124 KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES
Fourth Dane (whispering). 'T would be
safest to take him prisoner, my lord !
Chief (nodding). We'll take him with us to
be certain,
GooDWiFE (hearing this). Yes, take him!
'T would serve him right! He burnt my cakes
just now !
Chief. What ! Burnt your cakes ?
GooDwiFE. Yes, my lord ! And I 'd have
beaten him had not your lordship come.
Chief (aside to Danes). This cannot be the
king.
First Dane (shaking head). No king would
fry cakes !
Second Dane (shaking head). He could not
be made to fry them !
Third Dane (shaking head). Nor take a
beating from a woman !
[The Goodwife has crept up to listen; and so
overhears this last remark.]
Goodwife. He would n't, eh ? Ha, ha ! Well,
I sent him within to mix fresh dough! And I
sent him with my stick, I did !
[Flourishing stick.]
KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES 126
Fourth Dane. Would you let a woman
threaten you with a stick, my lord ?
Chief (proudly). Never! Besides, King Alfred
would be dressed as are his princes and his
soldiers. I have thought that from the first.
Release the beggar !
[Danes release King Alfred.]
Chief. Now listen, Danes ! A hundred silver
pieces will I give the man who makes King
Alfred prisoner ! Hear — all of you ! — One
hundred silver pieces !
Danes. Aye! Aye!
Chief (to Goodwife and Alfred). And when
this Alfred's taken, to me you'll bend your Eng-
lish knees ! To me, you English beggar ! Now
come, my men ! To hunt King Alfred !
Danes (going). To hunt King Alfred! To
hunt King Alfred !
[They go. King Alfred smiles. The Goodwife
looks after them, listening for a moment]
Goodwife. May they never see a hair of his
head!
(Lifting up arms.)
May Heaven protect and save King Alfred !
126 KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES
King (growling). You seem to love King
Alfred —
GooDWiFE. I love the ground he treads on!
King (as before). Of course, — His English
ground !
GooDWiFE (shaking head). Not that — I love
the air he breathes !
King. Well — 't is English air,
GooDwiFE (sharply). No, no! I love the
king ! — the king himself !
King (growling). Out upon King Alfred ! Out
upon him, I say !
Good WIFE (angrily). You are a traitor, sir!
King. What has he done for England? He
has lost every battle to the Danes ! He is run-
ning from them now!
GooDwiFE. 'T is no fault of his ! If the king's
men were as brave as he, there would not be
a Dane on English land to-day !
King (still growling). Well, I'm glad there's
one that thinks so well of him !
GooDWiFE. You are a traitor and should be
punished !
(Taking up stick.)
KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES 127
I myself will do it !
[Lifting stick. Enter the Prince; and English
Soldiers.]
Prince (kneeling). Your Majesty is safe!
GooDWiFE (aside). What! — Your Majesty,
they say!
Soldiers (kneeling y joyfully). King Alfred!
King Alfred!
GooDWiFE (aside) . What ! — King Alfred ! —
King. Rise, my Prince! Rise, my soldiers'!
Ah, I'm glad they did not find you !
[He grasps their hands.]
GooDwiFE (aside; showing fear). It is — it is
— the king !
King. We'll fight again, my men! At day-
break we'll surprise them.
Soldiers. Aye! Aye!
King. Good wife, your king now thanks you.
GooDWiFE (kneeling). Oh, your Majesty, for-
give me ! forgive me !
King (gently). Arise, goodwife.
GooDwiFE (rising). Alas the day I made you
fry the cakes ! Alas the day I would have beaten
you!
128 KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES
King. Nay, goodwife, 'twas that saved my
life. I bless the day you made me fry the cakes !
I bless the day you would have beaten me !
(Lifting his hand over her head.)
And you I bless, goodwife, for your loyalty
to England and her king! Soldiers, salute this
brave goodwife !
[Soldiers form in a double line from door of
huty and hold their hows aloft to make an arch.
The Goodwife passes up this lane, under the
hows J and stands in door of hut. The King and
the Prince salute her.]
Live Music
Archive
Librivox
Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland
Museum of Art
Internet
Arcade
Console Living Room
Open Library
American
Libraries
TV News
Understanding
9/11